Manchester City is a classic contender for the title and only mistakes from the other teams that allow it to stay the first. Several times Manchester City was running behind other teams like Arsenal but at the end they jump in the first place and win the title.
As long as Man City can continue to consistently win, or at least only draw from their strong rivals, yes City's chance to defend the EPL title for the umpteenth time remains big. Moreover, they are still with the same squad, the same coach, and the strength that may be even greater and consistent because they learned from last season's experience. The biggest challenge and they are targeting is to win the UCL, because last season it was taken over by their fierce rival, Real Madrid.
Man City is always a good and hard contender in EPL and every time few mistakes are made by Man City but other top teams overcome their errors and loss points and games at a very crucial time which puts City on top of the table and this is the momentum which top team wants and they clinched the title.